LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



017 055 192 8 



F 786 
.C447 
Copy 1 



CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO THE INSPECTION OF DOCUMENTS PRINTED 
OR RELIED ON IN THE MEXICAN CASE AND COUNTERCASE. 

CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO THE INSPECTION OF DOCUMENTS IN 
THE ARCHIVES OF THE MEXICAN EMBASSY AT WASHINGTON. 

Mr. Dennis to Senor Pereyra. 

April 15, 191 1. 
Sir: 

In accordance with an agreement between the Agent of Mexico 
in the Chamizal Arbitration, Senor Don Joaquin D. Casasus, and 
myself as Agent of the United States in the same arbitration^ 
through an exchange of letters dated respectively March 18, 191 1 
and April 5 , 1 9 1 1 , an arrangement has been effected for the recipro- 
cal inspection of documents or records printed or relied upon in 
the respective cases and countercases. This arrangement, in 
accordance with the suggestion of Senor Casasus goes into effect 
today, April 15th. 

In accordance with Article i and 3 of this arrangement, a copy 
of which was transmitted to the Embassy in the note of the 
Department of State of March 24, 191 1, the Agent of the United 
States, within ten days after the agreement goes into effect may 
furnish to the Mexican Embassy in Washington, a list of the docu- 
ments or records printed or relied upon in the Mexican Case, the 
originals of which it is desired to inspect, and within five days the 
Agent of the United States is to be permitted to inspect any docu- 
ments or records so listed, printed or relied upon in the Mexican 
Case, the originals of which may be in the archives of the Mexican 
Embassy in Washington. 

In accordance with the terms of this agreement I have the 
honor to enclose herewith a list of documents and records printed 
or relied upon in the Mexican Case the originals of which it is 
desired to inspect, with the request that I may be permitted to 
inspect the originals of such of these documents or records as may 
be in the archives of the Mexican Embassy at Washington, at 
712 10 — II 1 , 



2 DOCUMENTS IN THE CHAMIZAL CASE. 

some convenient time within the five day period provided in 
Article 3 of the agreement. 

With the assurances of my highest consideration, I have the 
Honor to be, Sir, 

Yom^ most obedient servant, 

WiLUAM CUI.LEN Dennis, 

Agent of the United States of 
America in the Chamizal Arbitration. 
Senor Don Carlos PerEyra, 

Charge d' Affaires of Mexico. 
Enclosure: List of documents or records of which inspection is 
desired. 

[Inclosure.) 

List of documents and records printed or relied upon in the Mexican 
case, of which an inspection is desired. 

1. Com.munication of the Mexican Legation in Washington to 
the Department of State of the United States, of the 17th of 
November, 1874, referred to and relied upon in the Mexican Case, 
page 12. The Spanish text of the Mexican case gives the date of 
this communication as the 17th of December, 1874. 

2. Report of the Mexican Consul in El Paso, Texas, to the 
Mexican Legation in Washington, referred to and relied upon in 
the Mexican Case, page 23. 

3. Note of the Mexican Minister, Senor Romero of the 13th of 
April, 1885, to the Mexican Foreign Office, referred to and relied 
upon and quoted from on page 23 of the Mexican Case. 

4. All of the documents constituting Annex 7 of the Mexican 
Case, "Judicial Testimonial Inquiries Instituted by Pedro Y. 
Garcia Before the District Court in C. Juarez in 1894." 

5. Senor Romero to the Mexican Minister of Foreign Affairs, 
January 9, 1867, printed in Annex 9, of the Mexican Case, page VI. 

6. Seiior Romero to the Mexican Minister of Foreign Affairs, 
February 6, 1867, printed in the Mexican Case, Annex 9, page VII. 

7. All the documents contained in Annex 10 of the Mexican 
Case, entitled "Note from D. Jose Lafragua, accompanying Com- 
munications from the Mexican Consul in Franklin, and from the 
Departments of Finance and of Public Encouragement (Fomento) . 

8. All documents contained in Annex 12 of the Mexican Case 
entitled "Text of the Minutes of the International Boundary 
Commission," etc. 



DOCUMENTS IN THE CHAMIZAL CASE. 3 

Mr. Dennis to Senor Zamacona. 

ApriIv 24, 191 1. 
•; Sir: 

SX Referring to the agreement between the Agent of Mexico in 
(K' the Chamizal Arbitration, Senor Don Joaquin D. Casasus, and 
myself as Agent of the United States in the same arbitration, 
effected through an exchange of letters dated respectively 
March 18, 1 9 11 and April 5 , 1 9 1 1 , which are printed in the appen- 
dix to the countercase of the United States, pages four to seven, 
and particularly to Article 1 1 of this agreement, I have the honor 
to enclose herewith a list of documicnts and records, printed or 
relied on in the Mexican countercase, the originals of which it is 
desired to inspect, with the request that I may be permitted 
to inspect the originals of such of these documents and records 
as may be in the archives of the Mexican Embassy at Washing- 
ton, at some convenient time within the five day period provided 
in Article 3 of the agreement. 

With the assurances of my highest consideration, I have the 
honor to be. Sir, 

Your most obedient servant, 

William Cullen Dennis, 
Agent of the United States in the Chamizal Arbitration. 
His Excellency Senor Don Manuel de Zamacona, 

Ambassador of Mexico. 

flnclosure.) 

List of documents printed or relied on in the Mexican countercase, 
inspection of which is requested. 

1. Two investigations instituted September 4, 1894, before the 
Fiscal Attorney of Paso del Norte, enclosure to Seiior Mariscal's 
note of October 29, 1894, relied on on page 7 of the Mexican 
countercase. 

2. Note number 48 of April 20, of Mexican Foreign Office to 
Sefior Mariscal, referred to and relied on in Senor Mariscal's note 
of December 2, 1875, countercase page 24 and appendix page 22. 

3. Note of the Mexican Department of Foreign Affairs of May 
23, 1884, to Senor Romero, quoted and relied on countercase 
page 32. 

4. Documents in annexes to Mexican Countercase, i, 2, 3, and 5. 



4 DOCUMENTS IN THE CHAMIZAI^ CASE. 

Mr. Dennis to Senor Pereyra. 

Aprii^ 25, 191 1. 
My dear Mr. PerEyra: 

Referring to our conversations over the telephone and in accord- 
ance with our understanding, I have had clean copies made of the 
various documents of which I have requested certified copies under 
the arrangement with Senor Casasus. 

In further pursuance of our understanding I am sending you 
herewith these clean copies, together with the original copy taken 
by our copyist from the archives of the Embassy, which 3^ou were 
good enough to correct, thinking that perhaps this latter copy may 
be of assistance in ascertaining whether the corrections have been 
properly made on the new copy. 

Copies of the following documents are enclosed: 

1 . The Mexican Minister in Washington to the Mexican Minister 
of Foreign Affairs, Decem.ber 17, 1874. 

2. The Mexican Minister in Washington to the Secretary of For- 
eign Affairs of Mexico April 13, 1885, and three enclosures as fol- 
lows: 

The Mexican Consul at El Paso, Texas, to the Mexican Minister 
at Washington, March 31, 1885. 

The Mexican Consul at El Paso, Texas, to the Secretary of For- 
eign Affairs of Mexico, March 31, 1885. 

Clipping from the Daily Times of El Paso, Texas, March 31 , 1885. 
Thanking you again for all your kindness in this matter, I am, 
Very sincerely, 

William Cullen Dennis, 
Agent of the United States in the Chamizal Arbitration. 
Seiior Don Carlos Pereyra, 

Secretary, Embassy of Mexico. 
Enclosures: Original copies and clean copies of documents as 
stated above. 

Senor Pereyra to Mr. Dennis. 

Embajada de Mexico, en los 

EsTADOs Unidos de Ameirica, 

Washington, April 26, igii. 
My Dear Mr. Dennis: 

In answer to your favor of yesterday, I have the pleasure to 
send you herewith, six certified copies of the following documents: 
I. The Mexican Minister in Washington to the Mexican Minis- 
ter of Foreign Affairs, December 17, 1874. 



DOCUMENTS IN THE CHAMIZAL CASE. 5 

2. The Mexican Minister in Washington to the Secretary of 
Foreign Affairs of Mexico, April 13, 1885, and three enclosures as 
follows : 

The Mexican Consul at El Paso, Texas, to the Mexican Minister 
at Washington, March 31, 1885. 

The Mexican Consul at El Paso, Texas, to the Secretary of For- 
eign Affairs of Mexico, March 31, 1885. 

Clipping from the Daily Times of El Paso, Texas, March 31, 
1885. 

3. The Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico to the Mexican 
Minister at Washington, April 30, 1875. 

Yours very sincerely, 

Carlos Pereyra. 

Mr. W. C. Dennis, 

Agent of the United States 

in the Chamizal Arbitration. 

[Inclosure i.] 

Num. 148. 

Entrevista con Mr. Fish. Limites en el Rio Bravo. 

Washington, Dhre i^ de 1874. 

Hoy, Jueves, fui a ver al Secretario de Estado, y le hable de 
las instrucciones que habia recibido en la nota de V. Num° 161 
del 12 de Set® ulto., para iniciar una negociacion con el fin de 
fijar los limites de ambas naciones segiin el espiritu del tratado de 
la Mesilla, en la parte en que las ha dividido el Rio Bravo, supuestas 
las violentas alteraciones que este tiene en su curso. ExpHque a 
Mr. Fish lo que pasaba f rente a Paso del Norte y se me comunica 
en los anexos de la citada nota, asi como el medio que propone ese 
Ministerio para obviar las dificultades. Me contesto que veria 
nuestros tratados con los Estados Unidos y se encargaria del 
negocio, cuando yo le pasara la respectiva nota que ya le anunciaba. 
Asi lo hare dentro de algunos dias, habiendo sido mi objeto en 
esta conversacion linicamente explorar la disposicion en que 
estaria Mr. Fish sobre el asunto, la cual no me parecio desfavorable. 

Reitero, etc. 

C. Ministro de Rels. Exts. 

Mexico. 

[seal] 

Es copia. 

Carlos Pereyra, Primer Secretario. 



6 DOCUMENTS IN THE CHAMIZAL CASE. 

[Translation.] a 

No. 148. 

Interview with Mr. Fish. Boundaries in the Rio Grande. 

Washington, Dec. 17, 1874. 

Today, Thursday, I went to see the Secretary of State and 
spoke to him of the instructions which I had received in your 
note No. 161 of September 12 last, to begin a negotiation for the 
purpose of fixing the boundaries of both nations according to the 
spirit of the treaty of La Mesilla, at the part where they have 
been divided by the Rio Grande, in view of the violent altera- 
tions which the latter has in its course. I explained to Mr. Fish 
what was taking place opposite Paso del Norte and was commu- 
nicated to me in the annexes to the aforementioned note, as well 
as the means proposed by that Ministry to obviate the difficulties. 
He answered me that he would see our treaties with the United 
States and look up the matter when I should send to him the 
note on the subject which I had announced to him. I will do 
this within a few days, it having been my object in this conversa- 
tion to merely examine the disposition of Mr. Fish on the matter, 
which did not seem unfavorable to me. 

I reiterate, etc. 

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, 

Mexico. 
(seal) 
Copy. 

Carlos Pereyra, 

First Secretary 



N. 352. 



[Inclosure 2.] 
142. 

El traiado de Limites en El Paso, Texas. 



Washington, Abril 13 de 1885. 
El Consul de la Repiiblica en El Paso, Texas, me dirigio con 
fecha 1° del actual, el siguiente telegrama: 

"Ayuntamiento de esta ciudad consulta al Secretario de Estado 
sobre interpretacion del nuevo tratado, pretendiendo que la 
corriente del rio f rente a Paso del Norte sea el limite. Si asi 
fuera, no pudiendo en adelante desviarse corriente, seria perdida 

o This translation was supplied by the official translator of the Department of 
State. — Agent's note. 



DOCUMENTS IN THE CHAMIZAL CASE. 7 

segura de tan importante poblacion. Aqui el rio ha abandonado 
su lecho enteramente unos aiios, otros se ha movido paulatina- 
mente: movimiento de aluvion parece que no debiera quedar 
indefinido. Escribo correo." 

Como al final del preinserto telegrama expreso el C6nsul que en 
la misma fecha me escribia sobre el asunto, espere, para dar a Ud. 
conocimiento de el, recibir la comunicacion respectiva. For el 
dia 465 me Uego una carta particular, fechada en El Paso el 31 
de Marzo proximo pasado, en que se liniito a enviarme copia de 
otra carta particular que escribio a Ud., sobre este asunto, en la 
misma fecha. 

No habiendo recibido conmnicacion alguna oficial referente a 
este negocio, juzgo que no me ha remitido nuestro Cdnsul en El 
Paso, mas que la carta expresada en la que, como dije ya, se 
limitd a enviarme copia de la que dirigio a Ud. 

No acompano el articulo del Daily Times del Paso de 31 de 
Marzo citado, a que se refiere nuestro Consul en su carta, porque 
supongo que otro ejemplar de el existe en esa Secretaria. 

Como el periodico de El Paso expresa la interpretacion que dan 
al tratado de 12 de Noviembre de 1884 los habitantes de aquel 
lugar interesados en que se entienda de una manera determinada 
que satisfaga a sus intereses; como ese tratado no ha sido ratifi- 
cado por el Gobierno de Mexico, ni esta por lo mism.o en vigor; 
como en el no se deciden casos anteriores a su fecha, porque no 
puede tener efecto retroactivo, sino los que ocurran con poste- 
rioridad, si llegare a ser ratificado por ambos Gobiernos y can- 
geadas sus ratificaciones, y como, por ultimo, su inteligencia 
parece clara, no creo que deba hacerse nada por esta Legacion con 
motivo de lo manifestado por nuestro Consul en El Paso. 

La exposicion que los vecinos de El Paso han dirigido al Depar- 
tamento de Estado, esta, en mi concepto, en el mismo caso que 
articulo de periodico citado del Daily Times de El Paso. 

Reitero a Ud., las seguridades de mi muy distinguida con- 
sideracion. 

M. Romero. 

Al Secretario de Relaciones Exteriores, 

Mexico. 

[Seal] 

Es copia. 

Carlos Pereyra, 

Primer Secretario. 



8 DOCUMENTS IN THE CHAMIZAL CASE. 

[Translation.] a 
142. 

The Boundary Treaty at El Paso, Texas. 

No. 352. Washington, April ij, 1883. 

The Mexican Consul at El Paso, Texas, addressed to me under 
date of the first instant, the following telegram: 

"City Consul of this City consults the Secretary of State on 
interpretation of the new treaty, claiming that the current of the 
river opposite Paso del Norte is the boundary. If this were so, as 
the current can not deviate henceforth, it would be certain loss 
of this important town. Here the river has completely aban- 
doned its bed some years, and has moved gradually in others; it 
seems that alluvion movement should not remain indefinite. I 
will write by mail." 

As the Consul stated to me in his telegram inserted above, that 
he was writing to me on the subject on the same date, I waited 
until I received his communication in order to make it known to 
you. On the fourth or fifth I received a private letter, dated at 
El Paso on March 31 last, in which he confined himself to sending 
me a copy of another private letter which he had written to you 
on the same subject on the same date. 

Not having received any official communication in relation to 
this matter, I suppose that our Consul at El Paso did not send 
me any other letter than the one mentioned, in which, as I said 
before, he merely sent me a copy of the one he had written to you. 

I do not enclose the article of the Daily Times of El Paso of 
March 31 last, to which our Consul refers in his letter, for I sup- 
pose that there is another copy of it in your Department. 

Inasmuch as the newspaper of El Paso sets forth the interpre- 
tation given to the treaty of November 12, 1884, by the inhab- 
itants of that place interested in having an understanding reached 
in a definite manner which will be satisfactory to their interests; 
inasmuch as this treaty has not been ratified by the Mexican 
Government and is therefore not in force; inasmuch as cases prior 
to its date are not decided in it because it can not have a retro- 
active effect, but only cases which arise subsequently, if it should 
be ratified by both Governments and if the ratifications were 
exchanged; and inasmuch as, finally, its interpretation appears 
clear, I do not believe that anything need be done by this legation 
in connection with what was stated by our Consul at El Paso. 



a This translation was supplied by the official translator of the Department of 
State. — Agent's note. 



DOCUMENTS IN THE CHAMIZAL CASE. 9 

The statement which the citizens of El Paso have addressed to 
the Department of State is, in my opinion, to be regarded in the 
same hght as the aforementioned article of the Daily Times of 
El Paso. 

I reiterate to you the assm^ances of my very distinguished 

consideration. 

M. Romero. 
The Secretary of Foreign Affairs, 

Mexico. 
(seal) 
Copy. 

Carlos Pereyra, 

First Secretary. 

[Inclosure 3.] 

CONSULADO DE MEXICO. 

El Paso, Texas, Mzo. 51 de 1885. 
Sr. Lie. D. Matias Romero 

Ministro Mexicano 

Washington, D. C. 
Mi muy estimado amigo: 

No tengo a la vista su ultima apreciable para poder replicar en 
lo necesario — a los diversos puntos de su contenido; y en medio 
del quehacer que me rodea me limitare para adjuntarle copia de 
una carta que hoy he dirijido al vSr. Mariscal con relacion a los 
efectos que esta produciendo la publicacion del tratado arreglando 
el limite fluvial entre Mexico y los E. Unidos — Creo que surgiran 
cuestiones que van a ser motivos de series trastornos, por aqui, al 
menos. Si ha de considerarse como de aluvion todo el terreno que 
el rio ha puesto de este lado y el rio donde corre es el limite segun 
la interpretacion americana del tratado, y si no se ha de permitir 
al lado mexicano protejerse por medio de esos bordos diagonales 
que creo es lo que se llaman jetties el rio es preciso que avanze del 
lado derecho y tarde 6 temprano esto es la de saparicion de Paso 
del Norte. El tratado seria la muerte de esta importante poblacion. 
Ya seguire enformando a Ud. de todo lo que pase que considere de 
importancia en este asunto. 

El Gefe Politico de Paso del Norte me ha dirijido ya una comuni- 
cacion con respecto a las canerias que han de descargar las inmun- 
dicias de los hoteles al rio — Estoy pendiente de contestacion del 
Mayor de esta Ciudad. 

Parece que he podido contestar satisfactoriamente los puntos 
de que se me hacia cargo — Ee mando a U. una copia de lo que 



lO DOCUMENTS IN THE CHAMIZAL CASE. 

dije con respecto a no residencia en este lugar, punto que he sos- 
tenido con exito, pues se me per mite vivir en Paso del Norte. 
Hasta a mi genio apelaran no encontrando otra cosa queriendo 
hacerme pasar por un barbaro. 
Soy de U. am. afmo. 

[Seal] J. Escobar y Armendariz, 

Es copia 

Carlos Pereyra, 

Primer Secretario. 

[Translation.]" 

Mexican Consulate, 
El Paso, Texas, March ji, 1885. 
Mr. Matias Romero, 

Mexican Minister, Washington, D. C. 
My Very Esteemed Friend: 

I have not your last letter before me in order to reply as far as 
necessary to the various points of its contents ; and in the midst of 
the work which surrounds me I will confine myself to enclosing to 
you a copy of a letter which I addressed today to Mr. Mariscal in 
reference to the effects which are being produced by the publica- 
tion of the treaty regulating the fluvial boundary between Mexico 
and the United States. I believe that questions will arise which 
will be the cause of serious disturbances, around here, at least. 
If all the land which the river has placed on this side is to be con- 
sidered as alluvion, and if the river where it runs is the boundary 
according to the American interpretation of the treaty, and if the 
Mexican side is not to be allowed to be protected by means of those 
diagonal edges which I believe are call.ed jetties, the river will have 
to advance on the right side and sooner or later this would result 
in separation of Paso del Norte. The treaty would be the death of 
this important town. I will continue to inform you of everything 
that happens which I consider of importance in this matter. 

The Political Chief of Paso del Norte has already sent me a com- 
munication with respect to the pipes which are to discharge the 
sewage of the hotels into the river. I am awaiting a (pendiente de) 
reply from the Mayor of this City. 

It appears that I have been able to answer satisfactorily the 
points which were laid before me. I send you a copy of what I 
said with respect to nonresidence in this place, which point I have 
maintained successfully since I am permitted to live at Paso del 

a This translation was supplied by the official translator of the Department of 
State. — Agent's note. 



DOCUMENTS IN THE CHAMIZAL CASE. II 

Norte. They will even appeal to my genius, not finding anything 
else, being desirous of making me pass for a barbarian. 
I am your affectionate friend, 
(seal) J. Escobar. 

Copy. 

Careos PerEyra, 

First Secretary. 

llnclosure 4.) 

Consulado de Me;xico. 
El Paso, Texas, Marzo 31 de 1885. 

Sr. Lie D" Ygnacio Mariscal — Secretario de Relaciones Kxte- 
riores — Mexico — Muy Estimado Sefior y amigo: 

La publicacion del tratado que arregla nuestro limite fluvial, 
ha causado aqui, como era natural, mucha sensacion. Los anti- 
guos propietarios mexicanos de los terrenos que el Rio ha puesto 
de este lado estan de huelga, sacando sus titulos del polvo en que 
han yacido por tantos ahos, interpretando al tratado favorable- 
mente, esto es, como que les restituye sus antiguas propiedades. 
Los actuales poseedores, algunos de los cuales han construido 
sobre tales terrenos edificios valiosos, tiemblan al considerar cual 
sea la verdadera significacion del tratado y parece que se dividen 
las opiniones. Sin embargo, hoy aparece ya un articulo en que 
se trata de asegurar a los actuales poseedores, pretendiendo que 
aqui el cambio del Rio se ha verificado solo por causas naturales y 
de una manera paulatina, y que por consiguiente, el Rio donde 
ahora esta es el limite porque con la corriente ha caminado el 
lecho normal del Rio. Me temo que resulte de esta divergencia 
de opiniones cuestiones serias, por que es muy dificil definir clara- 
mente lo que el rio debe avanzar para que sea considerado aluuion, 
pues cada interesado sostendra que el caso es de aluvios 6 avulsion 
segun le convenga. En el terreno en cuestion me parece que 
podria sostenerse con verdad que ha habido ambas cosas. Me 
consta que ha habido anos cjue el rio ha avandonado del todo su 
lecho aunque haya avanzado poco. Si se aclarase que cesa de ser 
aluvion el movimiento del rio, cuando haya abandonado su lecho, 
y que este sera el terreno que haya banado en su ultima creciente, 
esto vendria a disminuir considerablemente las cuestiones que van 
a surgir — Ya se sabra que saliendose de madre, esto es fuera de 
su lecho, quedando seco este, seria caso de avulsion, aunque tal 
cambio no se verificase inipetuosamente. En el primer caso, 
aunque el rio se saliese un poco, desviandose de lo hondo del canal, 



12 DOCUMENTS IN THE CHAMIZAI^ CASE. 

con tal que no se saliera del todo, aquel se consideraria su curso 
normal, y la linea divisoria marcharia con la corriente; en el 
segundo, una vez salido el no de su lecho y seco este, la linea no 
marcharia con la corriente, sino que perm.aneceria en el lecho 
abandonado. Solo aclarandose estos puntos me parece que han 
de evitarse cuestiones, que, por lo menos han de agriar mucho las 
buenas relaciones existentes entrambas fronteras. Yo procarare 
tener a Ud. al tanto de lo que pase y sere mas preciso en mis 
comunicaciones oficiales sobre el asunto. Por ahora acompano a 
U. una tira del periodico que contiene el articulo a que me he 
referido. 

Es copia 
[seal] Carlos Pereyra, 

Primer Secretario. 

[Translation.] a 

Mexican Consulate. 
El Paso, Texas, March ji, 1885. 
Mr. Ignacio Mariscal, 

Secretary of Foreign Affairs, 

Mexico. 
Dear Sir and Friend: 

The publication of the treaty which regulates our fluvial 
boundary has caused much sensation here, as was natural. The 
old Mexican proprietors of the lands which the river has placed 
on this side are taking time to hunt out their titles from the dust 
in which they have lain for so many years, and are interpreting 
the treaty favorably, that is, as restoring to them their former 
property. The present possessors, some of whom have built 
valuable edifices on these lands, tremble when they consider the 
real significance of the treaty, and it appears that opinions are 
divided. Nevertheless an article has already appeared today in 
which an attempt is made to reassure the present possessors, 
declaring that the change in the river at this place took place 
solely through natural causes and in a gradual manner, and that 
consequently the river, where now situated, is the boundary 
because the normal bed of the river has followed the current. I 
fear that serious questions will arise from this difference of opinions, 
for it is very difficult to define clearly how much the river must 
advance in order that it may be considered alluvion for each 
interested party will maintain that it is a case of alluvion or 

« This translation was supplied by the official translator of the Department of 
State. — Agent's note. 



DOCUMENTS IN THE CHAMIZAL CASE. 13 

avulsion, as mav suit him. In the land in question it seems to 
me that it might be truly maintained that there have been both 
things. I know that there have been years in which the river 
completely abandoned its bed although it advanced little. If it 
were specified that the movement of the river ceases to be alluvion 
when it has abandoned its bed, and that the latter will be the 
land which it bathed during its last rise, this would considerably 
diminish the questions which will arise. It will be known that if 
it leaves its channel, that is, goes outside of its bed and leaves the 
latter dry, this will be a case of avulsion, even if the change does not 
take place impetuously. In the first case, even if the river should 
leave a little and depart from the deep part of the channel, pro- 
vided it did not leave completely, said deep part of the channe 
would be considered as its normal course, and the boundary line 
would follow the current; in the second case, once the river left 
its bed and the latter became dry, the line would not follow the 
current but remain in the abandoned bed. It seems to me that 
it is only by clearing up these points that it will be possible to 
avoid questions which will at least greatly embitter the good 
relations existing between both frontiers. I will try to keep you 
informed of what transpires and will be more precise in my official 
communications on the subject. For the present I enclose to 
you a copy of the newspaper which contains the article to which 
I have referred. 

(SEAI.) 

Copy. 

Carlos PerEyra, 

First Secretary. 

[Inclosure 5.] 

(Seal) Seccion de America. No. 48. Sobre Tratado de limites. 

MiNISTERIO DE RELACIONES EXTERIORES, 

Mexico, Abril 30 de iSj^. 
Recibido en esta Secretaria con la nota de Ud. n" 35 de 26 de 
Marzo ultimo, el proyecto sobre limites entre los rios Gila y Bravo, 
que presento Ud. a la Secretaria de Estado, he dado cuenta de 
todo al Presidente, quien me recomienda diga yo a Ud. en con- 
testacion, como tengo la honra de hacerlo: que si bien por las 
razones que Ud. expresa, ha habido conveniencia de presentar el 
proyecto en los terminos generales en que esta concebido, a 
reserva de discutirlo y darle otra forma cuando se trate de su de- 
finitiva redaccidn, sera de la mayor importancia incluir en uno de 



14 DOCUMENTS IN THE CHAMIZAL CASE 

sus articulos 6 en otro separado, segun sea mas facil, una clausula 
6 parrafo en que clara y terminantemente se expresen estas dos 
ideas. 

I* Que si por cambios violentos del curso de las corrientes, se 
desprenden terrenos de una de las dos orillas, los que por esa 
causa queden en uno ti otro territorio separados por la nueva 
corriente, se consideraran como pertenecientes respectivamente a 
la Nacion a que correspondian, dntes de ser separados por el 
cauce del rio. 

2^ Que en caso de liaber dos 6 mas corrientes, siguiendo la 
misma direccion a la desembocadura, y alguna de esas corrientes 
se hiciese mas profunda dejando de serlo la que servia de linea 
divisoria, seguira la regla de considerar perteneciente a la Nacion 
respectiva los bancos 6 terrenos que le correspondian antes de 
que por el cambio violento de las corrientes se hiciesen mas pro- 
fundos los cauces actuales. 

Reitero a Ud. las seguridades de mi muy distinguida considera- 
cion. 

Lafragua. 

C° MiNISTRO PLENIPOTENCIARIO DE MeIXICO 

EN Washington, D. C. 
[seal] 

Es copia 

Carlos Pereyra 

Prmier Secretario 

[Translation." ) 

(Seal) American Section. No. 48. Relating to boundary treaty. 

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 

Mexico, April jo, iSy^. 
Having received in this Department, with your note No. 35 of 
March 26th last^ the draft of a treaty on boundaries between the 
Gila and Rio Bravo rivers which you presented to the Department 
of State, I have related the whole matter to the President, who 
instructs me to state to you in reply, as I now have the honor to 
do, that although for the reasons that you mention it was suit- 
able to present the draft in the general terms in which it is drawn 
up, subject to discussion and to being put in another form when 
finally drafted, it will be of the greatest importance to include in 
one of its articles or in another separate article, according to which 



« This translation was supplied by the official translator of the Department of 
State. — Agent's note. 



DOCUMENTS IN THE CHAMIZAL CASE. 1 5 

is the easier, a clause or a paragraph in which the following two 
ideas are clearly and positively stated: 

1. That, if, owing to violent changes in the direction of the 
current, lands are detached from one of the two shores, the lands 
which for this reason are separated by the new current and 
remain on one or the other territory, shall be considered to belong 
respectively to the nation to which they belonged before being 
separated by the channel of the river. 

2. That in case there are two or more currents, following the 
same direction to the mouth, and one of these currents should 
become deeper while the one which served as a boundary line 
ceases to be the deeper, the rule followed shall be to consider as 
belonging to the respective nation the bars or lands which belonged 
to it before the present channels became deeper owing to the vio- 
lent change of the currents. 

I reiterate to you the assurances of my very distinguished 
consideration. 

Lafragua. 
The Minister PlenipotentixVry of Mexico at 

Washington, D. C. 
(seal) 
Copy. 

Carlos Pereyra, 

First Secretary. 

Mr. Dennis to Senor Pereyra. 

April 27, 1911. 
My Dear Mr. PerEyra: 

I have your letter of April 26th, in which you enclose certified 
copies of various documents requested by me under the terms of 
the agreement between the two Agents in the Chamizal Case. 

With the renewed expressions of my thanks for the courtesies 
which have been shown me by the Embassy in this matter and by 
you personally, I am, 
Very sincerely, 

WiLUAM CuLivEN Dennis, 
Agent of the United States in the Chamizal Arbitration. 
Seiior Don Carlos Pereyra, 

Secretary, Embassy of Mexico, 

Washington, D. C. 



1 6 documents in the chamizal case. 

correspondence relating to the inspection of documents in 
the archives of the mexican foreign office. 

Correspondence Rei^ating to the Inspection of Documents 
Printed or Reued on in the Mexican Case. 

Mr. Wilson to Mr. Knox. 
File 156. 
Serial 480. 

Embassy of the United States of America, 

Mexico, April ig, igii. 
The Honorable 

The Secretary of State, 

Washington. 
Sir: 

I have the honor to refer to the Department's Instruction of the 
1 8th, ultimo, unnumbered, relative to the Chamizal case, and to 
advise the Department that the inspection of the documents 
printed or relied upon in the Mexican Case, which was agreed upon 
by the United States and Mexican Agents, was carried out by Mr. 
Weitzel of the Department, who is on temporary detail here, and 
Mr. Dearing, the Secretary of the Embassy, in conjunction with 
Mr. Carrefio of the Mexican Agency. The inspection of the 
documents forming Annex 12 of the Mexican case, directed by 
the department's telegram of April 12th, 5 P. M., has not yet been 
made, but will doubtless be initiated and completed tomorrow. 

I enclose to the Department herewith certified copies of the 
documents comprised in the first paragraph of the list submitted 
by the United States Agent to the Mexican Agent, and in the 
second and third paragraphs also. The document mentioned in 
paragraph three includes as an integral part of itself the document 
mentioned in paragraph two and, accordingly, copy of the former 
only is sent. Certified copies of the extensive documents com- 
prising Annex 10 of the Mexican case will be forwarded in the next 
pouch, which will be despatched on Saturday, the 22nd instant. 

Inspection of the documents listed under paragraph four revealed 
the fact that the papers made use of by the Mexican Agent, 
although the only ones in the archives of the Foreign Office and 
duly certified, are not originals but copies, in some cases second 
copies of the originals which are said to be on file at Ciudad 
Juarez. I enclose a copy of such notes as give authority to these 
documicnts; i. e., copy of the indications on the back of the For- 
eign Office dossier, receipt of Javier Osorno and an explanatory 
note. 



DOCUMENTS IN THE CHAMIZAL CASE. 1 7 

The documents indicated in paragraphs five and six are at the 
Mexican Embassy at Washington and may be consulted there. 
I have the honor to be, Sir, 
Your obedient servant, 

Henry Lane Wilson. 
Enclosures: As stated above. 

[Inclosure i.] 

Embassy of the United States of America, 

Mexico, April ig, igii. 

I, Fred Morris Bearing, First Secretary of the Embassy of the 
United States of America, at Mexico, hereby certify that the 
annexed documents are true copies, entitled to full faith and 
credit of a dispatch from M. Romero, Ambassador to Mexico at 
Washington, to the Mexican Minister of Foreign Affairs, num- 
bered 352 and dated April 13, 1885, and of a dispatch from Ignacio 
Mariscal to the Mexican Minister of Foreign Affairs, dated Decem- 
ber 17, 1874, 3-iid numbered 148, both forming part of the Mexican 
case in the Chamizal arbitration. 

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature and the 
seal of this Embassy this 19th day of April, 19 11. 

[seal.] Fred Morris Bearing, 

Secretary of Embassy. 

[Inclosure 2.] 

Secretaria de Relaciones Exteriores 

Limites 

Numero 2. 

Ano de 1894. 

Estados Unidos. 

Casode "El Chamizal" 

Reclamaciones de Pedro Y Garcia por unos terrenos situados en 

El Paso, Texas que dice son de su propiedad y que se llaman: " 

El Chamizal. 
Recibi de la mesa especial de limites de la Secretaria de Rela- 
ciones Exteriores, en 15 fojas utiles, el expediente original relativo 
a la reclamacion del C. Pedro Y Garcia sobre propiedad de terrenos 
situados en el Paso, Texas. 
Mexico, Mayo 29 de 1894. 

F. Javier Osorno 
Nota. — Todos estos documentos son copias del expediente ori- 
ginal que se llevo el Sr. Osorno, Comisionado Mexicano en la 
Comision internacional de Limites con los E. U., segiin el recibo 
que obra en este expediente. 
Mexico, Mayo 30 de 1894. 
712 10 — II 2 



1 8 DOCUMENTS IN THE CHAMIZAI^ CASE. 

[Translation.] " 

Department of Foreign Affairs 

Boundaries 

No. 2 

1894 

United States 

El Chamizal Case 

Claims of Pedro Y Garcia to some lands situated at El Paso, 
Texas, which he says belong to him and which are called: 

" El Chamizal" 
I received from the special boundary bureau of the Departmicnt 
of Foreign Affairs the original documents consisting of fifteen 
folios, relating to the claim of the citizen Pedro Y Garcia with 
respect to the ownership of lands situated at El Paso, Texas. 
Mexico, May 29, 1894. 

F. Javier Osorno. 

Note. — All these documents are copies of the original file taken 
away by Mr. Osorno, Mexican Commissioner on the International 
Commission of Boundaries with the United States, according to the 
receipt appearing in this file. 

Mexico, May 30, 1894. 

oThis translation was supplied by the official translator of the Department of 
State. — Agent's note. 



documents in the chamizal case. 19 

Correspondence Relating to the Inspection of Documents 
Printed or Relied on in the Mexican Countercase. 

Mr. Wilson to Mr. Knox. 

Embassy of the United States of America. 
(seal) Mexico, April 26, igii. 

File 156 
Serial 496 

The Honorable 

The Secretary of State, 

Washington. 
Sir: 

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the Department's 
telegraphic instructions of April 24th, 4 P. M., relative to the 
inspection of certain documents comprised in the Mexican Counter 
Case in the Chamizal Arbitration, and to securing certified copies 
thereof, and to enclose to the Department herewith a certified 
copy of the note which I to-day addressed to the Mexican Foreign 
Office in compliance with the instructions under acknowledgement. 
The Department's remaining instructions in this connection 
will be carefully carried out. 
I have the honor to be, Sir, 
Your obedient servant, 

Henry Lane Wilson 

[Inclosure i.l 

American Embassy, 
Mexico, D. F., Mexico, April 26, igii. 

I, Fred Morris Dearing, Secretary of the Embassy of the United 
States of America, hereby certify that the attached document is 
a true and exact copy of note No. 334 dated April 26th 1911, 
addressed to His Excellency Don Francisco L. de la Barra, Minis- 
ter for Foreign Affairs of Mexico, by His Excellency Henry Lane 
Wilson, American Ambassador to Mexico, with regard to the 
inspection of certain documents comprised in the Mexican Counter 
Case in the Chamizal Arbitration and to obtaining certified copies 
of the same. 

In witness whereof I hereunto affix the Seal of this Embassy 
and my signature this 26th day of April 191 1. 

(seal) Fred Morris Dearing 

Secretary of Embassy. 



20 DOCUMENTS IN THE CHAMIZAL CASE. 

[Inclosure 2.] 

Copy of Embassy's note to Foreign Office of April 26, 1911, requesting 
certified copies of certain documents in the Chamizal Case. 

Mexico, April 26, igii. 
File 156 
Serial 334 

His Rxcellency Francisco L. de la Barra, 

Minister for Foreign Affairs. 
Mr. Minister: 

I have the honor to refer to the Arbitration of the Chamizal 
Case, which is now in progress, and to advise Your Excellency that 
I am in receipt of instructions from my Government directing me 
to request the inspection of the following documents relied upon 
in the Counter Case of Mexico, and to request copies thereof certi- 
fied under the Seal of the Mexican Foreign Office : 

Proceedings before the District Court of Paso del Norte, con- 
sisting of three Expedientes, 22, 12 and 104, enclosed with Mr. 
Mariscal's note of October 29, 1894, and appearing on page 7 of 
the Mexican case. Annex 7 of the Mexican case, doubtless forming 
a part of these proceedings. I am enjoined to request, nevertheless, 
certified copies of the entire proceedings and all of their endorse- 
ments. 

In addition to the above my Government desires inspection and 
certified copy of note No. 48 of April 30 of the Mexican Foreign 
Office to Mr. Mariscal, referred to and relied on in Mr. Mariscal's 
note of December 2nd 1875 — Counter Case, page 24 and Appendix, 
page 22. 

Note of Department of Foreign Affairs of May 23, 1884 to Mr, 
Romero, quoted and relied on in Counter Case, page 32. 

The documents in Annexes to the Counter Case Nos. 1,2,3 ^^^ 5- 

In case the documents above referred to are accompanied by 
enclosures, I have the honor to request copies of such enclosures, 
duly certified under the Seal of the Mexican Foreign Office. 

As the time limit governing the Arbitration Proceedings is to 
expire in the not distant future, I trust that Your Excellency will 
be good enough to furnish the Embassy with a reply to this note 
and the certified copies requested, as soon as conveniently possible. 

I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to Your Excellency 
the assurances of my high regard. 

Henry Lane Wilson. 



SENOR VALLARTA TO MR. FOSTER.^ 

No. 14. MiNISTERIO DE REIvACIONES, 

Mexico, Agosto 25 de iSjj. 
A S. E. John W. Foster, 

etc., etc., etc. 
Mi estimado Senor Foster: 

Tengo el gusto de adjuntar d usted las copias de los documen- 
tos de que le hable en la mafiana de hoy. 

Me es grato repetir d, usted la alta consideracion con que soy 

Su afmo. servidor, 

I. L. Vallarta. 

[Inclosure.] 

No. 15. 

Proyecto de Convencion entre Mexico y los Estados Unidos. 

Por cuanto, en virtud del Articulo 5° del Tratado de Guadalupe 
Hidalgo, algunas porciones de la linea divisoria entre los dos 
paises estdn marcadas respectivamente por el Rio Gila y el Rio 
Grande; con el fin de evitar las dificultades que puedan ocurrir 
por los cambios a que los mencionados rios — como otros muchos — 
estan sujetos en cualquiera tiempo, sucediendo esto especialmente 
con el Rio Grande; las altas partes contratantes han convenido 
en lo siguiente: 

I. 

La linea divisoria sera siempre la que previene dicho tratado, a 
pesar de cualquiera alteracion en las riberas y aun en el curso de 
los rios a que se alude, con tal de que la alteracion se efectiae 
gradualmente y por obra natural del aluvion. 

II. 

Cualquiera otra alteracion en el curso 6 las riberas de esos rios 
no producira cambio alguno en la linea divisoria astronomicamente 
fijada por las Comisiones de limites de ambos Gobiernos en 1852 
y que va por enmedio de la corriente de los rios segun el curso que 
tenian al tiempo del reconocimiento. 

« Forwarded to Department of State with Ambassador Wilson's dispatch of April 7, 
1911. — Agent's note. 



2 2 DOCUMENTS IN THE CHAMIZAL CASE. 

III. 

A pesar de cualquiera de las alteraciones a que se alude en el 
articulo anterior, el derecho de la navegacion comun a los dos 
paises, segun lo determina el articulo 7° del tratado citado anterior- 
mente seguird siendo el mismo en las porciones del rio que apare- 
cieren comprendidas dentro del territorio de una de las dos 
naciones. 

Es traduccion. 

(firmado) JosiS F. DE Cuellar, 

Encargado de la Secretaria. 

[Translation.] 

Ministry op ReIvATions, 

Mexico, August 23, 1877. 
No. 14. 
To His Excellency John W. Foster, 

etc., etc., etc. 
My dear Mr. Foster: I take pleasure in enclosing to you the 
copies of the documents of which I spoke to you this morning. 
I have the honor to reassure you of my high regards. 
Your obedient servant, 

T. L. Vallarta. 

Ilnclosure.) 
PROJECT POR A convention BETWEEN MEXICO AND THE UNITED 

states. 

Whereas, by virtue of article V of the Treaty of Guadalupe 
Hidalgo, some portions of the dividing line between the two coun- 
tries are respectively marked by the Gila and Grande Rivers; to 
the end of avoiding the difficulties which may arise by the changes 
to which the aforesaid rivers — as many others — are liable at any 
time, this occurring especially with the Rio Grande, the high con- 
tracting parties have agreed as follows: 



The dividing line shall forever be that as provided under the 
said Treaty, notwithstanding any alteration on the margins and 
even in the course of the rivers referred to, provided that the 
alteration be effected gradually and by the natural action of 
alluvium. 



DOCUMENTS IN THE CHAMIZAL CASE. 23 

II. 

Any other alteration in the course or on the margins of those 
rivers, shall not cause any change whatever in the dividing line 
astronomically determined by the Boundary Commission of both 
Governments in 1852 and which runs along the center of the cur- 
rent of the rivers according to the course they had at the time of 
the survey. 

III. 

Notwithstanding any of the alterations referred to in the pre- 
ceding article, the right of navigation common to the two coun- 
tries as provided under article VII of the aforementioned Treaty 
shall continue to be the same in the portions of the river that may 
appear embraced within the territory of one of the two nations. 
The above is a translation. 

(Signed) Jos^ F. Cuei^lar, 

Acting Secretary. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



017 055 192 8 # 



LIBRAP 



oc 



Conservation Resources 
Lie-Free® Type I 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



017 055 192 8 • 



